HANSARD
SITTING CALENDAR
SEARCH
LIVE BROADCAST
Hansard Dynamic Subject Index
Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-04-05 Daily Xml
Contents
Pdf Xml

ARCADE GAME MACHINES

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (15:07): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Gambling a question on arcade game machines.

Leave granted.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: I understand that there have been some community concerns raised about arcade games, similar to gaming machines, being available to minors in amusement arcades. Will the minister inform the chamber of how the government is responding to these concerns?

The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for Gambling) (15:07): I thank the Hon. Mr Hunter for his question. The honourable member is correct in saying that community concerns were raised with my predecessor around the middle of last year regarding arcade games similar to gaming machines being available to minors in amusement arcades. The Hon. Mr Darley would probably know something about this, because I believe that he has raised the issue with the government before.

At that time the government responded that it intended to outlaw arcade games which are similar to gaming machines. On Thursday 24 March, I think it was, I released a consultation paper prepared by the Department of Treasury and Finance about unlawful instruments of gaming. Relevant government agencies and industry groups, such as amusement manufacturers, operators of arcades and organisations such as the National Amusement Machine Operators Association have been invited to participate in the consultation.

We seek to make a clear distinction between lawful and unlawful games by defining what aspects of arcade and other games are considered unlawful gaming and pose risks in terms of potentially tutoring people to develop problem gambling habits or to gamble when minors. Aspects under consideration include the value of prizes, the presence of spinning wheels and buttons and the level of control a player has over the outcome of the game. Clear definition will provide guidance to the industry, importantly to manufacturers, and reduce the chances of minors being exposed to gambling.

Skill-based arcade games are lawful, and I want to be very clear that it is not the government's intention to ban coin-operated, ride-on toys (such as we see at the local Coles or Woolies), video games, pinball machines, billiard tables, air hockey tables or claw crane machines, which are commonly badged as skill testers. These games are regarded as genuine recreational activities. However, games that involve an element of chance and offer valuable prizes, such as iPods, may offer unlawful gaming and can be declared unlawful instruments of gaming under section 59A of the Lottery and Gaming Act.

In 2010, a game called 'Road Trip' was removed from venues in South Australia after the distributors were advised that it met the definition of a gaming machine and must be removed from operation. Any venues found to be operating this device would be reported to the Licensing Enforcement Branch of the South Australia Police.

Following the consultation period the Department of Treasury and Finance will draft regulations and further public consultation will occur. Interested parties are encouraged to download the consultation paper from the Treasury website and make a submission via email or post by 13 May. I look forward to updating the chamber about this matter in the future.

Can I again stress that the government is certainly not interested in banning harmless recreational games that kids and old people generally play or ride—the sort of thing that we are all accustomed to seeing when we go shopping. However, it is very important that we ensure that children are not essentially taught the principles of gambling, particularly by machines that may be a toy pokie in disguise.

Indeed, I remember that when I was a child there was something a bit like the toy Senator Xenophon had here a couple of years ago. It was called a fruit machine but, in hindsight, of course, it was basically a toy pokie designed to encourage kids to learn the principles of gambling. Fortunately, it did not have any impact on me because I am not a player of the pokies at all. We certainly want to ensure that children are not coached to become future gamblers whilst ensuring that they are able to access legitimate and fun recreational machines.

PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS
MEMBERS
GET INVOLVED
ABOUT PARLIAMENT
VISIT
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
CONTACT